Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33712500›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2021

Exploring patient views of empathic optimistic communication for osteoarthritis in primary care: a qualitative interview study using vignettes.

Emily Lyness, Jane Louise Vennik, Felicity L Bishop, Pranati Misurya, Jeremy Howick, Kirsten A Smith, Mohana Ratnapalan, Stephanie Hughes, Hajira Dambha-Miller, Jennifer Bostock and 6 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BJGP open, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
1.7field-weighted citation impact, top 17% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 15 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors at 6 institutions in 4 countries.

Emily LynessGP and Academic Clinical Fellow, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK emilylyness@doctors.org.uk.
Jane Louise VennikResearch Fellow, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Felicity L BishopAssociate Professor in Health Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Pranati MisuryaResearch Assistant, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Jeremy HowickSenior Researcher and Impact Fellow, Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Kirsten A SmithResearch Fellow, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Mohana RatnapalanGP and Academic Clinical Fellow, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6505-6107
Stephanie HughesSenior Research Assistant, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Hajira Dambha-MillerGP and Clinical Lecturer, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Jennifer BostockPatient Public Involvement Contributor, Southampton, UK.
Leanne MorrisonLecturer in Health Psychology, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Christian D MallenProfessor of General Practice and Public Health, Keele University, Keele, UK.
Lucy YardleyProfessor in Health Psychology, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
Geraldine LeydonProfessor of Medical Sociology & Healthcare Interaction, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Paul LittleProfessor of Primary Care Research, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Hazel EverittProfessor of Primary Care Research, Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Southampton City Council · GBUniversity of Southampton · GBAt Bristol · GBKeele University · GBNational Patient Safety Foundation · USUniversity of Oxford · GB

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) causes pain and disability. An empathic optimistic consultation approach can improve patient quality of life, satisfaction with care, and reduce pain. However, expressing empathic optimism may be overlooked in busy primary care consultations and there is limited understanding of patients' views about this approach.

aimTo explore patients' perspectives on clinician communication of empathy and optimism in primary care OA consultations. DESIGN &

settingVignette study with qualitative semi-structured interviews. Purposefully sampled patients (

methodFifteen participants watched two filmed OA consultations with a GP, and 18 participants read two case vignettes. In both formats, one GP depicted an empathic optimistic approach and one GP had a 'neutral' approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with all participants and analysed using thematic analysis.

resultsPatients recognised that empathic communication enhanced interactions, helping to engender a sense of trust in their clinician. They felt it was acceptable for GPs to convey optimism only if it was realistic, personalised, and embedded within an empathic consultation. Discussing patients' experiences and views with them, and conveying an accurate understanding of these experiences improves the credibility of optimistic messages.

conclusionPatients value communication with empathy and optimism, but it requires a fine balance to ensure messages remain realistic and trustworthy. Increased use of a realistic optimistic approach within an empathic consultation could enhance consultations for OA and other chronic conditions, and improve patient outcomes. Digital training to help GPs implement these findings is being developed.

Indexed as

physician–patient communicationphysician–patient relationsplacebo effectprimary health care

Identifiers

PMID33712500
PMCPMC8278506
OpenAlexW3135433091

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.